Fiji recognises the transformative and the development ambition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and considers that the 2030 Agenda, taken together with the Paris Agreement, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, provides a framework for achieving a sustainable, prosperous and peaceful future for the world and its peoples. While the SDGs represent a global response to global challenges, Fiji considers them to be nationally relevant and capable of having a transformative impact on the quality of life of all Fijians.

Fiji’s Approach to Sustainable Development
The sustainable development principles underpinning the SDGs have long been the underlying principles for Fiji’s national development. In implementing the SDGs, Fiji has adopted a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach and has utilized national development planning as the primary instrument to drive forward SDGs implementation. In 2017, The Fijian Government launched its 5-Year & 20-Year National Development Plan (NDP) with the vision of transforming Fiji. The NDP is the outcome of a nationwide consultation process that involved the private sector, civil society, community groups, government and the general public reflecting the aspirations of the Fijian people and their Government’s commitment for a transformed Fiji. Mainstreamed and integrated within the various thematic areas of the NDP are the 17 SDGs—15 SDGs explicitly integrated into the corresponding 29 strategic priorities of the NDP while SDG 10 (reduce inequalities), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action) are treated as cross-cutting issues across the NDP. Consequently, the SDG implementation and its monitoring hinge on the NDP processes.

At the sector level, SDGs have already been integrated into sectoral strategic plans and policies in many sectors including but not limited to education, health and agriculture. Fiji also recognises that, while Government holds the important responsibility for achieving the SDGs, it is in everyone’s interest and everyone’s responsibility including private individuals, private enterprises, NGOs and CSOs to advance the sustainable development agenda. Working with these multiple stakeholders, the Fijian Government is helping advance socio-economic development and empowerment of all Fijians.

People
In the quest for creating a transformative Fiji, unprecedented investment has been undertaken in the education sector through introduction of free education, free textbooks and subsidised transportation to school. This is the single most important vehicle to empower young Fijians including the empowerment of the disadvantaged. Maternal and child mortality rates have been reduced, density of health workers has increased, and universal health coverage is the highest among Pacific Island Countries. Non-communicable diseases have become a health pandemic.

Prosperity
The strong and sustained growth momentum experienced over the years, places Fiji in a very opportune space to embrace a new wave of development with shared prosperity and inclusiveness at its heart. The Fijian economy has achieved nine years of consecutive growth –an extraordinary achievement in the country’s post-independence history. This unprecedented economic growth is resulting in declining poverty and inequality and has enabled massive investment in infrastructure allowing access to markets and opportunities.

Planet
Fiji is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and has been vocal about this in the international arena. Fiji’s global leadership on two important SDGs on climate change and oceans has been demonstrated through the co-hosting of the 2017 United Nations Ocean Conference and the Fijian Presidency of COP23. Fiji’s political leadership in these areas will be critical for building momentum on climate and ocean action and for the mobilisation of resources to climate vulnerable countries. Fiji is a signatory to a number of climate change related international agreements, and has integrated climate change into the National Development Plan to bolster climate and ocean action at the local level. Peace
On a per capita basis, Fiji’s financial commitment towards the expansion of legal aid services ranks Fiji as a world leader in funding access to justice. This gives more low-income earners in Fiji greater opportunity to seek legal advice and enjoy the security, assurance and full protection of the law, creating an equal society.

Partnerships
Successful partnership with private individuals, private enterprises, NGOs and CSOs has been fundamental in delivering critical services in Fiji. These range from large scale infrastructure projects to community-based development initiatives.

The partnership seeks to establish a culturally relevant and comprehensive set of indicators for use in tracking progress towards achieving sustainable development goals in Melanesia, as well as for use in appropriate policy development at national and sub-regional level.

1. To further increase the share of renewable energy in electricity production from its current level (60%) to a higher level.
2. Achieve 100% access to electrification by 2016, with the current levels standing between 85 - 90%.
3. Further improve the reliability of main grid power supply and benchmark with those of similar economies.
4. Promote energy conservation and efficiency in all sectors of the economy.
5. Further enhance and strengthen institutional, regulatory and legal framework of the energy sector.
6. Utilisation of Biofuels in Fiji's transport sector by 2015.

Partners

Fiji, in partnership with the Governments of Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and UNDP.

Beyond the Stars is a world-first health intervention and education program that uses innovative technology, play-based learning and storytelling mediums to inspire children in the Pacific Islands to adopt healthy living habits, self­-educate on subjects from the school curriculum and consider the impact their actions on the environment.
In the story, children embark on an exciting adventure to learn about health, nutrition, physical activity, traditional produce, local culture, and more as they combat non-communicable diseases and improve their health. Through this experience, each child...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to develop a comprehensive Shark and Ray Conservation Regulation that ensures sustainable population levels of sharks and rays in Fijian waters. The regulation will set out a sustainable, long-term management plan to address the challenges of unsustainable mortality and habitat loss affecting sharks and rays in Fiji.
Shark and ray ecotourism is a major contributor to the Fijian economy, generating over US$4 million in tax revenue alone, and in 2012 shark dive tourism contributed over US$42 million to the Fijian economy.
Overfishing and loss of ...[more]

Partners

Government: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
NGOs: World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF); Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and University of the South Pacific (USP).
Private Sector: Resort Owners
Regional Organisations: Secretariat of the South Pacific Regional Environment Progra...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to begin a program of immediate reform of the coastal fisheries sector and establish a national fisheries policy to guide fisheries management in Fiji.
A majority of the Fijian population is coastal and therefore highly reliant on inshore fisheries for their subsistence and local economic needs. Although 33 percent of all animal protein consumed in Fiji comes from fish, and subsistence and commercial fisheries contribute at least US$44.4 million to Fijis annual GDP, inshore fisheries are grossly undervalued in national accounting and developmen...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to develop a legally recognized multiple-use marine spatial plan for Fijian waters. The plan will include a range of marine managed areas and help protect marine ecosystems.
Oceanic resources and activities contribute billions of dollars (FJD) annually to the Fijian economy in terms of food, livelihoods, coastal protection and reduction of climate change impacts. Fiji contains high biodiversity and includes coastal habitats (e.g. coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass) and open ocean habitats (e.g. seamounts, canyons, hydrothermal vents and ridges) m...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is for Fiji to conclude its outstanding maritime delimitation negotiations and complete its full extended continental shelf claims (ECS) report for submission to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).
Fiji is a coastal sate strategically located in the hub of the Pacific. Fiji shares maritime boundaries with Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga and France (Wallis and Futuna). Given the increasing interests of non-PIC private corporations to secure licenses for seabed exploration, as well as the increase in IUU fish...[more]

Partners

Government: Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Defence and National Security, Republic of Fiji Navy, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, Ministry of Fisheries and Forests, Department of Environment, Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Attorney-General and the Maritime Affairs Coordinating Committee.

The IHO capacity building programme seeks to assess and advise on how countries can best meet their international obligations and serve their own best interests by providing appropriate hydrographic and nautical charting services. Such services directly support safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, efficient sea transportation and the wider use of the seas and oceans in a sustainable way, including the protection of the marine environment, coastal zone management, fishing, marine resource exploration and exploitation, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime defence and security, and o...[more]

Partners

International Hydrographic Organization (IGO); 87 IHO Member States (Governments); International Maritime Organization (UN); World Meteorological Organization (UN); International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (NGO)

The objective of this voluntary commitment is promote sustainable development and implement more effective frameworks to manage Fijis coastal ecosystems and, as a result, protect the well-being and food security of Fijians in maritime regions.
Fijis coastal environment presents a great diversity and wealth of environmental resources, that, in itself, is a natural asset for food security, livelihoods, recreation and economic value for the country as a whole. Fiji's coastal environment is made up of an assemblage of resources including coral reefs, mangroves, beaches, and forests. These reso...[more]

Partners

Government: Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Forestry, Department of Mineral Resources, Department of Lands, Department of Town and Country Planning, Department of Transport.
Non-Government: Conservation International (CI), Fiji Environmental Law Association (FELA), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wildife Fund for Nature (WWF).
Academia/ Research Institut...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to reduce the use of single use plastic bags and more effectively manage plastic waste in Fiji by introducing legislation that disincentives the use of plastic bags.
Consumption of single use check out bags was estimated in 2010 to be around 70 million per year in Fiji, with urban population use at around 150 per person per year. In 2004, a survey of three locations in urban Fiji found plastic bags at an average rate of one every seven meters over the 5.8km of roads surveyed.
The negative environmental impacts of plastic are well-documented....[more]

Partners

Government: Ministry of Local Government Housing and Environment, Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Economy, Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority of Fiji.
Private Sector: Recycling Companies, tourism partners
Staff Technical Expertise: Ministry of Local Government Housing and Environment, Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Economy, Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority of Fij...[more]

The objective of the J-PRISM Partnership is two-fold, firstly to strengthen and develop national waste management systems and human capacity in Pacific SIDS through partnership with Pacific SIDS, SPREP and the Government of Japan; and secondly to promote the regional sharing of knowledge and expertise and encourage the eventual uptake of good waste management practices in Pacific SIDS.Good waste management is a vital component of national sustainable development, since poorly managed waste has negative impacts on areas such as public health, environment, and tourism. By strengthening the syste...[more]

Partners

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Member Countries (11 countries)
Federated States of Micronesia
Republic of the Fiji Islands
Republic of Kiribati
Republic of Marshall Islands
Republic of Palau
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Independent State of Samoa
Solomon Island...[more]

IRENA has developed the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative to support the strategic deployment of renewable energy in SIDS, to bring clarity to policy makers regarding the required steps, and to enable targeted action. As a joint effort of SIDS and development partners, this framework for action will assist in transforming SIDS energy systems through the establishment of the enabling conditions for a renewable energy-based future, by moving away from developing projects in isolation to a holistic approach that considers all relevant elements spanning from policy and market frameworks, through technol...[more]

Since 2000, Local communities in Fiji are reclaiming their marine-based livelihoods by implementing Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs), to bolster local incomes and traditions by replenishing local waters and restoring populations of agricultural crops and marine resources.
Source: World Resources Institute (2011) A Compilation of Green Economy Policies, Programs, and Initiatives from Around the World. The Green Economy in Practice: Interactive Workshop 1, February 11th, 2011
Local communities in Fiji are reclaiming their marine-based livelihoods by implementing Locally Managed Marine Areas...[more]

The Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) is a Pacific-wide programme helping to provide sustainable financial services to low income households. By 2019 PFIP aims to have: - One million low-income people in the Pacific, with at least 50 per cent women, gain access to appropriate/affordable financial services; (600,000 achieved by 2014)- Additional 150,000 previously unbanked people, with at least 50 per cent women, gain access to a formal savings account;- Four additional Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) have national financial inclusion strategies that reflect gender differences and w...[more]

Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting is a summit-level meeting which has been held every three years since 1997. Leaders openly discuss various issues that Pacific Island Countries(PICs) are facing in order to build close cooperative relationships and forge a bond of friendship between Japan and PICs. The 7th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM7) was held in Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan, on 22 and 23 May, 2015. At this summit, under the slogan of "We are Islanders - Commitment to the Pacific from Iwaki,

The Partnership will support Pacific SIDS in meeting their obligations to implement and effectively enforce global, regional and sub-regional arrangements for the conservation and management of transboundary oceanic fisheries thereby increasing sustainable benefits derived from these fisheries

The Pacific Mangroves Initiative (PMI) is a partnership-based initiative promoting investment and action for sustainable mangrove futures in the Pacific Islands.

Partners

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature, WWF-SPPO, the United Nations Development Programme, Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga

The Pacific Risk Resilience Programme (PRRP) is a large-scale risk governance programme in one of the most vulnerable regions to disasters and climate change in the world. The US$16.1 million Pacific Risk Reduction Programme (PRRP) is being delivered through a partnership between the Australian Government Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and international NGOs Live and Learn Environmental Education (LLEE) and the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Initiative (MORDI). The Programme is helping to build the national and regional ris...[more]

The Pacific Islands Development Forum is partnering with PIDF Member Countries (including Fiji, Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru,
Palau, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) and Solar Head of State to facilitate the installation of solar energy infrastructure to power residences of heads of state of eleven PIDF member countries and the PIDF Headquarters to promote renewable energy in the Pacific
This project will be a symbolic statement of intent by the governments, and also a test project to encourage more future grid-connected solar projects on the...[more]

Partners

Pacific Islands Development Forum, Solar Head of State and Government of Fiji, Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru,
Palau, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu

The Conference is an external side event to the UN Ocean Conference in New York.
The Pacific Voices for a Global Ocean Challenge Conference aims to invite all the organizations of Pacific Region. The objective is to bring the voice of the Pacific stakeholders scientists, policy makers, NGO, private sector members, etc about sustainable management and protection of ocean and provide specific solutions.
The conference blends oral contributions, debates, moments of sharing and artistic events. The conference is divided into three sessions. An art exhibition supplements the conference. The o...[more]

Partners

French Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Nauru and Tuvalu (government)
Fijian government (government)
French facility for global environment (FFEM) (government)
TARA Expeditions Foundation (scientific community/ Non-governmental organization (NGO)
University of South Pacific (USP) (Academic institution)
French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) (Academic institution...[more]

The goal of the Pacific Islands National Priorities Multi-Focal Area ‘Ridge-to-Reef’ (R2R) program is to maintain and enhance Pacific Island countries’ ecosystem goods and services (provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural) through integrated approaches to land, water, forest, biodiversity and coastal resource management that contribute to poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience. This goal will be achieved through a series of national multi-focal area R2R demonstration projects which will support and address national priorities and development needs whi...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to vigilantly guard against irresponsible actors who employ unsustainable and illegitimate practices contrary to the laws and principles in the UN Law of the Sea.
Fiji will place national prohibitions on destructive fishing practices and promote the use of sustainable fisheries. Such practices include the use of explosives, firearms, poisons and other noxious substances. Also included are drift-net fishing activities and any demersal trawling including trawling targeting benthic species. These prohibitions are established by our national fisher...[more]

Outcome 1: Child Protection Systems (including Justice and Police, child and family social services, health and education and communities) provide improved quality of and access to services for the prevention of and response to violence, abuse and exploitation of children at all times.Outcome 2 Parents, caregivers, and children demonstrate skills, knowledge and behavior enabling children to grow up in caring homes and communities, including schools that are free from violence, abuse and exploitation.

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to launch the Fiji Whale and Dolphin Action Plan to protect whale and dolphins within Fijian waters. This commitment is a follow-up to the Fijian Governments declaration of the Fijian Exclusive Economic Zone as a whale sanctuary in March of 2003.
Population levels of humpback whales and other whale species are at critically low levels, and the Oceania humpback whale sub-population has been declared endangered.
There is a relatively high diversity of cetacean species found in Fiji, including 10 confirmed species, with as many as 15 other spec...[more]

Partners

Government: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and Ministry of Education; Tourism and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF)
NGOs: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), University of the South Pacific (USP)
Private Sector: Resort Owners, Dive Operators Association, Fiji...[more]

Fiji and Fijians have a long and close relationship with the sea for food, livelihoods, including tourism, and cultural tradition. Our coastal (or inshore), fisheries resources, in particular, are important to Fijian communities , but yet are facing increasing pressures from both domestic and international markets. Among the most desirable and, hence, valuable of the fish resources are the groupers (Family: Epinephelidae). Groupers are very vulnerable to overfishing because of their biology and, in particular, their predictable annual spawning (breeding) aggregation behavior. These reef fi...[more]

Sea Mercy is a US based 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to "stand in the gap" with service delivery vessels, trained health volunteers, support equipment, and critical care services as island nations develop their "outer island" infrastructures. Due to distance and a lack of service delivery vessels, there is a huge disparity between the services offered on the primary islands, to those available on the remote islands. Working directly with our island nation partner's health ministries and leadership, Sea Mercy provides free Floating Health Care Clinics (FHCC), which also serve ...[more]

Partners

Sea Mercy is currently partnered and has an active service deliver program with the Health Ministries of:
The Republic of Fiji
The Kingdom of Tonga

The initiative aims to provide national health authorities in SIDS with the political, technical and evidence and financial support to better understand and address the effects of climate change on health.
This includes addressing climate change impacts on the main determinants of health (i.e. food, air, water and sanitation); improving the climate-resilience and environmental sustainability of healthcare facilities; and promoting climate change mitigation actions by the most polluting sectors (e.g. transport, energy, food and agriculture) to maximize health co-benefits.

Partners

WHO Special Initiative in collaboration with UNFCCC Secretariat and Fijian Presidency of COP-23

In 2007 the president initiated the Strategic Development Plan with the goal of a zero emissions.
Source:
The Strategic Development Plan 2007-2011 is the culmination of consultations with a wide range of stakeholders in the private sector, non-government organisations and Government. The objective of the Plan is to identify and implement policies to take Fiji forward to its vision of a peaceful and prosperous Fiji.
For more information please see the documents on the right hand side of this page.

The objective of the partnership is to effectively manage 30% of Fiji’s seas by 2020, through the strengthening of inshore locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) and the establishment of offshore, multiple-use marine protected areas (MPAs). What is unique about this partnership is that the Fiji Government and civil society are working strongly together to achieve this ambitious target that exceeds Fiji’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi Target 11.Since SIDS 2005, Fiji has seen a rapid expansion of the management of inshore areas and as of 2014, 78.2% of Fi...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to ensure that tourism development in Fiji is pursued within a sustainable framework to mitigate the possibility of negative impacts on Fijian ecology, society and culture. The Fijian Government established the Green Growth Framework in 2015 to serve as a sustainable development guide for all sectors of the Fijian economy. The development of the sustainable Tourism Development Framework will support green growth in Fiji and act as a practical sustainable tourism management tool.
Given that the Fijian tourism industry is largely coastal and mari...[more]

Partners

Government: Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry Rural and Maritime Development, Natural Disaster Management Office, Ministry of Education
Private Sector: Tourism Industry Operators and the Business Community
NGOs...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to formulate regulation on the conservation of sea turtles and fully implement the National Sea Turtle Recovery Plan.
Five of the seven species of sea turtles are present in Fijian Waters. These are Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle, Loggerhead turtle, Leatherback turtle and the Olive Ridley turtles. Sea turtles have a strong connection to the culture and traditions of the Fijian people. There have been severe declines in the numbers of sea turtles found in Fiji over the last three decades. However, some recovery levels for each stock have been re...[more]

Partners

Government: Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Department of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education
NGOs: Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Partners in Community Development, Mamanuca Environment Society
Private Sector: Resort Owners
Academic Institutions: University of the South Pacific (USP)
Other organisations: Secretariat of the Sou...[more]

The Fiji Pearl Development Plan proposes to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders in the development of a national, community-based, pearl farming industry. This will enhance the effectiveness of locally managed marine areas, integrated coastal management, and land and sea management programs, while also creating meaningful employment and income generating opportunities for communities involved in pearl farming.
The Fiji Pearl Association (FPA) represents locally owned Pearling Companies in Fiji that have been acknowledged throughout the international jewelry sector, not only for the pr...[more]

The objective of this voluntary commitment is to display information on the Fijian Exclusive Economic Zone, reefs, mangroves, oil exploration sites and seismic activities on the VanuaGIS Oceans, a new version of Fijis National Web Mapping Application.
The VanuaGIS is funded by the Fijian Government and administered by the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources to provide a centralized repository of public data linking Lands data with spatial information from other line agencies.
Currently, the VanuaGIS for Land Utilization web mapping application enables authorized users to query for t...[more]